Pirates need Joey Bart breakout season

Photo by Mark Taylor/Getty Images The Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping that catcher Joey Bart can contribute in a big way for the team in the 2025 season.

Bart, 28, was acquired by the Bucs in early April 2024 to help the team’s ailing catcher situation, but now he is expected to be Pittsburgh’s catcher full-time for 2025.

MLB.com writer Thomas Harrigan thinks Bart could be in line for a massive season.

Why the projections are pessimistic: Joey Bart experienced an offensive breakthrough following a trade from the Giants to the Pirates in 2024 (121 wRC+), but he still has a lot to prove on both sides of the ball as he looks to cement himself as Pittsburgh’s starting backstop. Despite his success…